The Pakistan Experience

Asim Sajjad Akhtar is a professor, writer and political worker.  Asim Sajjad comes on The Pakistan Experience again to discuss fascism, the left, identity politics, online spaces, economics and Marx.  What does the left need to do to respond to the challenges?  Is Democracy prone to majoritarianism?  Are Pakistanis too 'jahil' for democracy?  Find out this and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89   Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Is it fine to use the word fascism for the current regime? 6:00 It's not like the previous regimes were any better 9:00 Is the worst democracy better than the best dictatorship? 18:00 Is Modi delivering economically? 22:00 Patriarchy and fascism 26:30 Politics of constituency 31:00 Are people in Pakistan too 'jahil' for democracy? 37:00 How to avoid  Majoritarianism   in a democracy 49:00 Why doesn't the left weaponize the hate for the bourgeoisie 53:30 Do we live in a simulation and big tech 1:00:00 Liberty and New World Order 1:05:40 Identity Politics 1:14:00 The politics of victimhood 1:23:00 Online allegations 1:26:00 Why democratically elected leaders become authoritarian  1:34:30 Marx, economy and culture 1:38:20 The final imagination of Marx is a stateless society 1:43:00 Questions

Raza Rumi joins us on this deep dive podcast to discuss why he had to leave Pakistan, the shrinking space for Journalism in the country, how digital journalism is changing the landscape, the philosophy behind Naya Daur, new media and nation building.  What do we need to do to build a Pakistani state?  Should journalists be scared of the new laws?  What is the role of journalism?  Find out this, and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 Raza Ahmad Rumi is a Pakistani writer and a public policy specialist currently based in Ithaca, USA. He is the Director, Park Center for Independent Media, Ithaca College and has been teaching in Journalism department since 2015. He is also visiting faculty at Cornell Institute for Public Affairs and teaches courses in international development and public policy. Earlier, Raza was a global faculty fellow at the Gallatin School, New York University (Spring 2016).  Raza was a fellow at New America Foundation (2014); United States Institute of Peace (Sept 2014-March 2015), a  fellow at National Endowment for Democracy (summer 2016); and currently a member of Think Tank at Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, Georgetown University. He is also a senior fellow at the Jinnah Institute in Islamabad.  In recent years, Raza founded a digital media platform NayaDaur Media in collaboration with Pakistani diaspora in the United States. It is a bilingual multimedia portal with a Youtube channel. From 2017-2019, Raza was also the editor of Pakistan’s national newspaper Daily Times. From 2005-2017, he was affiliated with weekly The Friday Times  in various editorial positions. Raza was also a commentator and a current affairs talk show host in Pakistan and was affiliated with the Express TV, Pakistan before he left Pakistan in 2014. He contributes regularly to Foreign Policy, Huffington Post, New York Times, The Diplomat, Fair Observer, CNN and Al Jazeera, Daily O, Scroll India, The Hindu and Indian Express. His columns for the Express Tribune can be accessed here.  Prior to his foray in journalism, Raza worked as a governance and capacity development specialist for the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Pakistan, a number of Pakistani nongovernmental organizations, and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. He has also been an academic adviser to the Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG); a public policy adviser to LEAD Pakistan, a nonprofit focused on sustainable development; and was an advisory board member of both the ASR Resource Centre and the South Asian Institute of Women’s Studies in Lahore. As a freelance policy professional/consultant he continues to advise international development organizations, governments and NGOs.  Books: He is also the author of Delhi by Heart: Impressions of a Pakistani Traveler (Harper Collins, 2013); The Fractious Path: Pakistan’s Democratic Transition (2016); Identity, Faith and Conflict: Essays on Pakistan & Beyond (2017); and Being Pakistani–Essays on Arts, Culture & Society (2018).

Dr. Ilhan Niaz is a Historian and a Professor at Quaid-e-Azam University.  Dr. Ilhan joins us on this deep dive podcast to discuss why the Civil Service has not been reformed in Pakistan, why the Pakistani state continues to be colonial, the struggles Pakistan has faced in making a state, the Pakistani elite, and 'sahab' culture.  Why has the Pakistani civilian bureaucracy not developed?  Should Karachi be an independent administrative unit?  Who the main beneficiaries of the status quo?  Do we need an alternative to CSS?  Find out this, and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89  Chapters: 0:00 Why is the Pakistan civil service not good? 8:00 Why has our Civilian Bureaucracy not developed? 14:30 Is the Bureaucracy not letting imran Khan work? 18:30 CSS Officers using social media 24:00 What is the legacy of the 'sahab' culture? 29:00 Mughals, colonialism and wealth extraction 51:00 Why was the Muslim League not decolonial? 59:00 The loosely connected federation of states model for South Asia 1:06:00 1857 War of Independence 1:12:00 Did Pakistan ever stop being "colonial"? 1:20:00 Why is the Pakistani elite not loyal to Pakistan 1:30:00 Is the status quo even interested in creating a Pakistan for all? 1:46:00 The 1971 KLF session 1:53:00 Main beneficiaries of the status quo 1:57:00 Zia ul Haq and PSDP 1:59:00 Karachi as an administrative unit 2:04:00 Ayub and Nehru Defence Pact 2:07:00 How can the civil service be reformed? https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Nadeem Haque is the Vice Chancellor of PIDE, he was the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Nadeem comes on to a live episode of The Pakistan Experience where we debate what the concerns of Development should be - is there any point to development that is not human centric? Does anyone still believe in trickle down economics anymore? What is the boomer-millennial debate?  Ending with a surprising debate on Colonialism!  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Ahmad Rafay Alam is one of the leading Environment Lawyers in Pakistan and teaches at LUMS.   Rafay Alam comes on the podcast to discuss the law, climate change, the need of the hour, the efficacy of our Environmental Protection Agencies, Dams and what we can do to save the world!   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience    And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience    The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Why is it so hot in Karachi 1:00 Climate Change vs Global Warming 5:00 Climate Change Skepticism 10:00 The role of the United States 18:50 The responsibility of the Developing Countries 27:00 Renewable energy vs the Thar Coal Project 33:00 What makes you hopeful that we will change our behaviour? 36:00 Shehla Zia 38:30 Pakistan's obsession with giant Dams 47:00 Companies using ground water 54:00 The financial value of water 1:03:00 Davos kay harami 1:12:00 Attabad Lake as a tourist destination 1:14:28 Billion Trees 1:16:00 Recycling Industry 1:19:00 Walton Airport and the Kalwa Chowk nursery 1:21:40 EPAs and EIAs 1:28:00 World Bank Projects 1:32:00 Urban Ravi Development 1:39:00 Regulations on Pakistani Industry 1:43:00 Conclusion

Michael Kugelman is the Deputy director  of the Asia Program, South Asia senior associate  at The Wilson Center and writes for the weekly South Asia brief at Foreign Policy magazine.  Michael comes on the podcast to discuss the recent take over of Afghanistan by the Taliban, and what it could mean for South Asia.  Did India lose in Afghanistan?   What all did the US get wrong?   Will Pakistan be able to exert control over the Taliban or will we see a rise in TTP?   Find out this, and more, on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience, as Michael Kugelman and I, take a deep dive on Afghanistan, the Taliban, China, The Belt and Road initiative, Pakistan, TTP, India, and attempts to isolate Pakistan on the international stage.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience    And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience    The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Did America lose itself on 9/11? 4:30 Will Afghanistan now become a terrorist sanctuary? 12:00 Is instability in Afghanistan in the US's interests? 15:50 How interested is China in Afghanistan? 22:30 Will China care about human rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban? 26:35 Will the Taliban support the TTP and terrorism in Pakistan? 31:00 Why did the Pakistan state support the Taliban? 35:50 What will India's role now be in Afghanistan? 40:00 Will the West pour in aid under the guise of humanitarianism?  44:30 Taliban's economic policies and governance  51:10 Is there any truth to the Taliban 2.0 narrative? 54:20 Think tanks 57:00 What all did the US get wrong about Afghanistan? 1:03:00 Did the US sell the Afghan Government down the river with the Doha accord? 1:07:00 Will India be able to isolate Pakistan on the international stage? 1:11:24 Will India benefit from the US-China rivalry? 1:14:00 Pakistan as an emerging market 1:18:30 Are Indian or Pakistani trolls worse? 1:21:20 Conclusion

Zarrar Said is the author of Pureland. Zarrar comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss his book, prejudices and the commercial industry of writing books.

Syed Muzamil Shah is an anchor, journalist and analyst.  Muzamil comes back on the podcast to discuss the repercussions of the Single National Curriculum, the growing Talibanization of Pakistan, American imperialism and neoliberalism.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience  The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.   https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Single National Curriculum  11:00 Appeasing the extremist mindset 17:30 The Taliban have changed and Pakistan's role 27:00 Talibanization of Pakistan 36:00 Barelvi Extremism and TLP 41:00 Using nationalism to control people 46:30 Will Imran Khan be Prime Minister again? 51:00 Shahbaz Sharif and PDM 54:30 Financial Establishment 58:30 ZAB 1:02:40 Neoconservativism, Neoliberalism and the radical left 1:08:30 American Capitalism, Slavery and the American revolution 1:34:00 Left vs liberal policies 1:48:00 Arguing with trolls online and CSS 1:51:00 Simping for the state on Youtube and media restrictions 1:57:30 Spirituality

Hashmat Moslish is a Journalist, Independent Analyst, Former Senior Producer at Al Jazeera, and advisor to the former President of Afghanistan, Burhanuddin Rabbani.  Hashmat joins us on the podcast to contextualize the rise of Taliban in Afghanistan. We get into a deep discussion on how the Taliban managed to take over the entire country so swiftly, where all did the US policy fail in Afghanistan, what does the future look like and what role should Pakistan play.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience  The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.   https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Contextualizing and Historizing the rule of the Taliban 24:00 Early Taliban vs the new young Taliban 32:00 Very difficult to attack the Panjshir Valley 34:30 Are the old Taliban commanders unconnected to what is happening in Afghanistan? 43:40 Western Media doesn't understand Afghanistan 50:00 Liberalism and Islam 1:02:00 International Politics: Iran, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia and Afghanistan 1:08:30 Will Taliban accept money from anywhere? 1:14:00 The relationship of Afghanistan and Pakistan 1:20:00 The "Taliban" state 1:25:40 The role of China  1:31:00 Islamic State in Afghanistan 1:34:00 What can Pakistani people do to help Afghans?

Kapil Dev is a human rights activist from Pakistan, Kapil Dev comes back on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the recent rise in the attacks on temples, Hinduphobia and the Government's role in fuelling hate in the country.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience  The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.   https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh  Chapters: 0:00 Rising  Hinduphobia  5:00 Comparing India and Pakistan 12:00 Tauheen kaun kar raha hay? 17:00 The Government's disappointing reaction 30:00 Hindu hatred being taught to people 35:30 Is it lack of empathy or fear of extremism? 45:00 Creating the east-west binary 52:00 Inspiring hate 58:00 Bhai yaad aatay hain 1:04:30 Catching up with Kapil Dev